Detroit Pistons guard Ben Gordon had the unenviable position of going, along with the rest of the team, to the United Center to take on his former team, the Chicago Bulls, on Wednesday. As one would expect, the crowd spilled out the obligatory boos. As for the actual game itself, neither team shot especially well (Detroit shot 38.5% while Chicago shot 47.8%), yet led in all of the important statistical categories; John Salmons’ 22 points led Chicago to the 92-85 win over Detroit.

The Bulls got off to a hot start as they grabbed a 15-4 lead on a Salmons 3-pointer with 5:07 left in the first quarter; they would up their advantage to 23-6 on a pair of Salmons free throws and would take a 14-point lead going nito the second quarter. An Austin Daye jumper put Detroit to within 27-20 but a Salmons layup would vault Chicago into an 11-point lead. A pair of Rodney Stuckey free throws would help get the Pistons to within 48-38 at halftime.

With 9:26 left in the third quarter, Jason Maxiell made a layup, putting the Pistons to within 50-47, but the Bulls would go on a 13-4 run, capped by a Brad Miller hook shot; Derrick Rose’s layup with 4 seconds left in the period gave Chicago a 74-57 cushion going into the fourth quarter. The Pistons chipped away at their deficit, getting to within 90-85 on a pair of Gordon free throws with 16 seconds remaining in the game but Miller iced the game for Chicago with a pair of free throws.

Salmons led the Bulls with 22 points (including three 3-pointers), a rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block while Rose chipped in 19 with 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals; Miller added 16 with 7 rebounds, 6 assists and a block. Gordon led the Pistons with 18 points, 3 rebounds and a steal while Stuckey added 9 rebounds and 4 assists.

Chicago (7-9) plays again on Friday when they face the Cleveland Cavaliers while Detroit (6-12) returns home to host the Mikwaukee Bucks – also on Friday.